Introductory Seminar on International Humanitarian Law in Brussels

The International Committee of the Red Cross, the Belgian Red Cross and the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA) based at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) are organizing a 2,5-day Introductory Seminar on International Humanitarian Law at University foundation in Brussels.

Objective

The seminar aims at providing humanitarian professionals with relevant background knowledge in International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The program is designed to encourage discussions and debates on the main IHL issues arising in today's armed conflicts.

Audience

The seminar was opened to a maximum of 35 participants from the European Union and NATO institutions as well as diplomatic representations to these organizations, Belgian civil servants, representatives of NGOs and journalists.

Theme

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not, or no longer, directly participating in the hostilities. IHL also restricts the means and methods of warfare.

About the content

The Seminar,which is as practical as possible, address issues such as:

› What is an armed conflict?

› What is the relationship between IHL and Human Rights Law?

› What does protection mean under IHL?

› What rules govern the conduct of hostilities?

› How are violations of IHL dealt with?

› How is IHL implemented and how can we improve compliance with the law?

The program includes exercises and discussion periods.

Partners

- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whoseexclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives anddignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations ofviolence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRCalso endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting andstrengthening humanitarian law.

- The Belgian Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The National Society supports the Belgian authorities in their humanitarian tasks and assists people in crisis. The Belgian Red Cross works in accordance with the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence and makes maximum use of volunteers in its activities.

- The Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA) is an international Association of Universities in 12 European countries working together to develop training and education on international humanitarian action, and to foster academic research in that field. In Belgium, the NOHA is represented by the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL)

- The European Commission supports the ICRC, the Belgian Red Cross and the NOHA.

- With the support of the Belgian development cooperation

Program of the seminar